With the large armies of the Warring States Period is was not possible to equip every soldier with armor.In his wikispace Brain Durfee talks in length about the hoplite, the heavily armed infantry of the Aegean world. The armor worn by the hoplites was heavy and costly and therefore could only be afforded by the rich of Greek society. Much like their Greek counterparts only the wealthier or higher ranked soldiers could afford good armor in the Warring States. Most soldiers had to make due with what they had. Armors of that period were usually made of bronze, leather, or iron. Sometimes a combination of those materials. Iron began to takeover the armor scene, much like the weaponry scene, once the processing technique was refined.
Lamellar/Plate Curiass
Lamellar Armor from National Geographics
Much of the infantry at the time wore either lamellar or plate curiasses because it was light and flexible. Lamellar was much like scale armor, it was made by weaving together many many pieces of metal or leather plates. The more plates there were the better protection it offered. Lamellar was particularly protective against slashes. Lamellar was also used for legs, shoulder guards, and helmets. The Calvary did not start wearing heavier armor such as lamellar till much later. It was viewed as unnecessary because the purpose of the cavalry. Most cavalry troops were light cavalry, meant for skirmishes and reconnaissance. It wasn't until later that people were incorporating heavy cavalry troops and supplying them with heavier plated armors.
Armor
With the large armies of the Warring States Period is was not possible to equip every soldier with armor.In his wikispace Brain Durfee talks in length about the hoplite, the heavily armed infantry of the Aegean world. The armor worn by the hoplites was heavy and costly and therefore could only be afforded by the rich of Greek society. Much like their Greek counterparts only the wealthier or higher ranked soldiers could afford good armor in the Warring States. Most soldiers had to make due with what they had. Armors of that period were usually made of bronze, leather, or iron. Sometimes a combination of those materials. Iron began to takeover the armor scene, much like the weaponry scene, once the processing technique was refined.
Lamellar/Plate Curiass
Much of the infantry at the time wore either lamellar or plate curiasses because it was light and flexible. Lamellar was much like scale armor, it was made by weaving together many many pieces of metal or leather plates. The more plates there were the better protection it offered. Lamellar was particularly protective against slashes. Lamellar was also used for legs, shoulder guards, and helmets. The Calvary did not start wearing heavier armor such as lamellar till much later. It was viewed as unnecessary because the purpose of the cavalry. Most cavalry troops were light cavalry, meant for skirmishes and reconnaissance. It wasn't until later that people were incorporating heavy cavalry troops and supplying them with heavier plated armors.
Part 3:
Tactics & Strategies